McIlroy looking to close out on first Major win

Jun 19, 2011, 18:29 GMT

Bethesda, Maryland - Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy is aiming to close out on his first Major victory on Sunday at the US Open at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

The 22-year-old should have it all tied-up, with an eight-shot lead over his playing partner South Korean YE Yang.

But then, going into the tournament, he should already have been a one-time Major winner as he had a four-shot lead going into the final round at the Masters in April.

At the end of the competition, however, the winner was Charl Schwartzel and McIlroy finished ten off the pace after a final round of 80.

This time around, McIlroy looks as if he is in control and he said he was setting himself small targets. 'I am looking at my own targets, not at the other scores.

'It is certainly more of a mental issue than a physical one.'

The Irish golfer and Yang tee-off at 1920 gmt.

American Robert Garrigus, Australian Jason Day and England's Lee Westwood are tied in third place on five-under and Westwood said he would go into the round trying for a low score.

'I can only try to get a good score and then see what happens with Rory. It is really up to him who is going to win.'

Of the early starters South Korean Sang-Moon Bae was in the clubhouse with a five-under 67 after birdying five of the opening nine holes.

He dropped a shot on the par-five 16th, but pulled it back straight away on the next hole, but another bogey on the 18th saw him finish four-over for the tournament.

Also on fire was last years' runner up Gregory Havret, who was on four-under after nine holes to lie level par.